In the late thirties when employment was at a very low ebb, the late Mr George Walter Wilson conceived the idea of a carpet mill in Northern Ireland.

Mr Wilson was a foundation member and Chairman of the New Industries Board for Northern Ireland and he with other members were always on the lookout for new industries to replace the fast closing linen trade mills. As a result Ulster Carpet Mills was registered in January 1938.

Ulster Carpets has now been manufacturing the finest axminster and wilton carpets for 80 years in Portadown, Northern Ireland, and it is our commitment to growth and development that has allowed us to maintain manufacturing within the UK.

A family owned but professionally managed business, we are committed to operating as a vertically self-sufficient company, maximising our control over the entire manufacturing process, from the selection and purchase of the wool to the final checking of every piece of carpet prior to shipment.

It is this ‘from sheep to floor’ mentality, along with the determination to concentrate all operations within the UK and Ireland that sets Ulster Carpets apart from the competition.

Over the past 80 years Ulster has always embraced innovation. From the introduction of electronic jacquard looms in the 1980s to the launch of our unique PSYLO™ weaving technology in the 1990s, Ulster has successfully revolutionised the carpet industry offering a greater choice of colours and design freedom. We were also the first carpet manufacturer to offer 5m wide premium quality, woven wilton carpets.

Most recently we completed the first phase of our major £40 million regeration and capital investment programme with the construction of our state of the art Dyehouse and Energy centre. The new facility has been designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce the company's carbon footprint. Take a look at the video below.

As we look to the future, our emphasis on progression and our dedication to delivering top quality products will ensure we continue to strengthen our position as a premium carpet brand in the years to come.